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The Waist-Slimming, Lower Ab Workout

Get an amazing ab rehab stat. This lower ab workout from better-belly specialist Elisabeth Halfpapp, a founder of Exhale Mind Body Spa in New York City, combines seven exercises that will work your midsection, including the transversus abdominis, 360 degrees — "which is the key for slimming your waist." Both our testers experienced roomier waistbands (our apple-shaped tester lost an inch; our new mom lost two) after a month by doing three-times-a-week sessions. Now it's your turn to be firm, flat, fab!

Side Plank-Up

Lie on left side on floor with legs stacked and a rolled-up towel between thighs, propping torso on left elbow so that left forearm is perpendicular to torso. Make it easier: Stagger feet so that side of right foot is on floor in front of left foot for a wider base of support.

Lift hips so that body forms a straight line from head to toe and squeeze towel between thighs. Hold for 1 count, then lower.

Round Back

Sit on a folded towel on floor with shoulder blades against a wall and knees bent, feet flat; make sure back is rounded. Place hands on floor near hips, fingertips pressed into floor.

Squeeze abs and lift feet off floor, bring knees toward chest, then straighten legs so toes point toward ceiling. Do 10 pulses: Bring legs 1 inch closer to wall, then move them back 1 inch. Make it easier: Keep left foot on floor and bring extended right leg toward you by grasping right calf with both hands. Hold for 30 seconds; switch legs and repeat.

Fly Up

Target: Rectus abdominis

Sit on a folded towel on floor, lean back to rest on elbows and place feet together on a wall in front of you so that knees are bent about 90 degrees.

Extend legs up, keeping feet against wall, then press rounded lower back into floor and squeeze abs as you lift arms to reach toward feet, elbows soft. Make it harder: Press feet into wall as you reach.

Pelvic Scoop

Lie faceup on floor with back resting on folded towel, knees bent and feet flat on floor, arms by sides.

Cross right ankle onto left thigh just above knee so bent right knee points out to side; flex left foot so only heel rests on floor.

Rounding lower back and squeezing abs, lift hips off floor so pelvis tilts up toward ribs. Curl pelvis as far as you can without arching back; pull abs in to lift rather than press through left heel. Lower to floor.

Do 10 reps, holding the lift for 10 seconds on the final one. Switch sides and repeat. Do 3 sets.

C-Curve

With knees slightly bent, hinge forward at hips to place palms on wall, arms extended, so that back is nearly parallel to floor.

Squeeze abs and towel as you rise onto toes, then do 20 pulses: Lower hips 1 inch, then raise them 1 inch. Make it harder: Start with knees bent 90 degrees so that hips are closer to knee level, then pulse.

Twisted Curl

Sit on a folded towel on floor with knees bent and feet flat on floor, then lean back to rest on elbows.

Press rounded lower back into floor, squeeze abs and curl torso up toward left, lifting arms so that both hands grasp outside of left thigh.

Maintaining curl, release hands so that both hover to outside of thigh and do 20 pulses: Curl torso up toward left by 1 inch, then lower 1 inch. Make it easier: Keep hands on thigh for pulses. Make it harder: Raise arms overhead for pulses.